Job Discussion Forums

Noelle · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 361 Location: USA

No, I'm not interested in reading old threads. I know they're probably 15 - 20 pages long at least. That is how they used to be anyway.

I'm just wondering, since I recently returned from my first TESOL convention where I saw that EF was recruiting, how are things going for them and their employees in China these days?

I nearly choked on my chocolate covered raisin last Thursday when I strolled by the job marketplace and saw that they were there. It was kind of encouraging actually. I recall participants on this forum likening EF to McDonalds and discrediting the organization in China at every opportunity. I got my start with this franchise years ago and worked in a fairly well- run school in Zhejiang Province. Wouldn't you know that one of my current Chinese students here in the states once attended the same school! Small world... I definitely consider myself blessed to have been placed there though. Others did not fare so well in other schools.

I teach adults now (mostly IEP composition) and just felt like coming on this forum to find out if anyone had any very recent EF experiences... possibly resulting from TESOL recruitment?

krayola · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 38

I'll defend them as long as I'm here in China

I worked a year for them at a Smartschool (adult campus) in Guangzhou and it was great.

They paid me quite well and ALWAYS on time, took care of the visa properly, gave me great help finding an apartment and getting settled here, and didn't spare any expense on resources. The schools are really modern and there were very few 'surprises' regarding scheduling or any of other myriad of things that can go wrong here.

All this 'McDonald's' of schools talk is rubbish, at least in regards to the adult schools. Willing to bet that any current teachers would not make that remark.

I can't speak much for the children's schools besides finding that staff members there worked painfully long weekend hours and slave-like hours during the holiday periods.

There are other schools that have much lower recruitment standards that are FAR, FAR worse and deserve to be slammed a lot more.

krayola · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 38

I'll defend them as long as I'm here in China

I worked a year for them at a Smartschool (adult campus) in Guangzhou and it was great.

They paid me quite well and ALWAYS on time, took care of the visa properly, gave me great help finding an apartment and getting settled here, and didn't spare any expense on resources. The schools are really modern and there were very few 'surprises' regarding scheduling or any of other myriad of things that can go wrong here.

All this 'McDonald's' of schools talk is rubbish, at least in regards to the adult schools. Willing to bet that any current teachers would not make that remark.

I can't speak much for the children's schools besides finding that staff members there worked painfully long weekend hours and slave-like hours during the holiday periods.

There are other schools that have much lower recruitment standards that are FAR, FAR worse and deserve to be slammed a lot more.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

I hear they're not doing so well and that some of the bosses have had to scale back to the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A3 hatchback. Rough times, I'm telling you.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

gtd · Joined: 26 Oct 2011 Posts: 30

I recently got a job with EF in Changchun, I should be moving there within weeks. This is my first job teaching ESL.
Apparently the school I am going to is the 3rd and newest EF in Changchun. Has anyone had any experience working with EF changchun? Any tips for me about living in Changchun?

krayola · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 38

well, of course i can't defend every location. My bad for not being more specific - I can speak for Guangzhou and Shenzen, which is about 12 schools.

All of these are Smartschools (adult schools owned by English First) and as such aren't franchises. My understanding is that they are much the same as the schools in Beijing and Shanghai too.

All of the trouble seems to stem from the franchises, be they kids or adults schools, which seem to be popping up much more in mid-sized cities across China and Indonesia. Those I can't speak for.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

gtd · Joined: 26 Oct 2011 Posts: 30

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

I was offered a position by EF X'ian. Anyone have any up to date info on them?

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

[quote="gtd"]

YAMARI · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 247 Location: shanghai

who wants a job with long office hours? I sure wouldnt. I was given the same students for 4 hours on a Sunday. That was 1 hour solid followed by a 15 minute brake and then onto another full hour.. ect. For me that format was pure hell as I couldnt keep the same students interested for 4 hours straight.

MNguy · Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 129

I'm liking the EF I'm at right now. Good management and most importantly they have lived up to their end of the contract.